FROM OUR EXPERTS

Goals for cholesterol state that your total cholesterol level should be less than 200mg/dl. Your LDL should be less than 120mg/dl if you have no other risk factors for heart disease, though goal can be lower if you have known heart disease or diabetes. Lastly your HDL should be more than 40mg/dl.

So where does that leave you? Though some evidence suggests that the ratio of HDL to total cholesterol is a better predictor of heart disease, the majority of medical opinion would suggest that you lower your cholesterol levels with both lifestyle modifications and likely drugs.

You should knowAnswers to your question are meant to provide general health information but should not replace medical advice you receive from a doctor. No answers should be viewed as a diagnosis or recommended treatment for a condition. Content posted by community members does not necessarily reflect the views of Remedy Health Media, which also reserves the right to remove material deemed inappropriate.